Dental care program to aid Holocaust survivors

MELVILLE, N.Y., (Press Release)– Henry Schein Cares, and Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity announced on Wednesday, Nov. 12, the launch of the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program. The program was created in response to the White House’s call to action to help Holocaust survivors in the United States age with dignity and support. The value of the dental care to be provided during the first year of this program is estimated to be approximately $1 million.

Vice President Joe Biden applauded the program at the General Assembly of Jewish Federation of North America on November 10, saying “…At least 25 percent of Holocaust survivors…in the United States…[are] living in poverty. With your encouragement, and the President’s authority, I announced the appointment of a Special Envoy for U.S. Holocaust survivors to… [rally] volunteer organizations throughout the country, from AmeriCorps…to the Association of Jewish Families and Children’s Agencies, to Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity and Henry Schein, giving free dental care to [250-300] survivors.”

In January 2014, Jonathan Greenblatt, Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the Domestic Policy Council, described Aviva Sufian’s appointment as the first Special Envoy for Holocaust Survivor Services by noting that she would “collaborate with nonprofit organizations and the private sector to raise awareness about the needs of this vulnerable population and explore public-private partnerships that could provide additional support.” When Henry Schein and Alpha
Omega International Dental Fraternity heard from the Special Envoy about the dental needs of survivors, they created the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program.

The program is a pilot three-year initiative that will provide pro-bono dental care to a total of 250-300 Holocaust survivors across nine North American metropolitan areas in the first year. The program will commence in January 2015 in the following areas: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, Philadelphia, Seattle, Montreal, and Toronto. The program will focus on providing care for the most economically vulnerable Holocaust survivors who are served by the network of Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or other identified partner organizations, as well as individuals of any faith who were victims of Nazi persecution and meet the other eligibility requirements of the program. T

he individuals who will participate in the program will be directly referred through the local Jewish Family and Children’s Service agencies or another identified local partner organization. In addition to financial need, the three critical factors in prioritizing patients for participation will be: elimination of pain, restoring function and lack of dental coverage. A clear set of clinical guidelines will direct the specific scope of care to be provided through this program.

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Preceding provided by Henry Schein Cares